Breaking bad habits is one of the most difficult tasks in life. In our self-service society, we strive not to form bad eating habits. Nobody has time to cook healthy meals. Fast food is easy and many of us fall into the trap of taking the easy path over the right one. But you can break bad eating habits. Anyone can do it. Someone! Here are some steps to help ensure success in changing your eating habits.
- Getting started is the hardest part of change. We’ve all tried the latest and greatest diet fads. Programs like the South Beach Diet, Atkins Diet, Zone Diet, Subway Diet, and Weight Watchers have certainly shown some positive results. The problem is that most people cannot maintain these diets for long periods of time. Many have a hard time even getting started. The key is to focus on nutrition. We all know the difference between a healthy food and an unhealthy one. Find a program or create your own nutrition plan that you can live with long-term. Don’t preach failure with a program that is unrealistic for you.
- Try to start slowly. It can be overwhelming to make bulk changes to your lifestyle. Pick one change you can make in your life, whether it’s starting to exercise a few times a week or eliminating a regular high-calorie food from your diet. Every two weeks, choose another change in your fitness or nutrition, and before you know it, you’re on your way to getting in shape.
- Pick a day of the week to enjoy. Having a day every week or every two weeks where you eat what you want and as much as you want can help to have a positive physical and mental effect. If you have a “free” day to look forward to, you are less likely to cheat during the rest of the week. Physically, a high calorie intake once a week can create positive hormonal changes that can enhance fat loss. Everyone eventually has a binge day. Plan it out and you can minimize the damage and better maintain your overall eating habits.
- Get other people in your household to make changes, too. There is power in numbers! Having someone to lean on to break or form a habit can make all the difference to your success. Getting the support of a friend or loved one and giving it in return can make the process rewarding and help maintain your success.
Whether you’re breaking a habit or creating a new good habit, in my experience, two weeks seems like the magical time period for most people. If you can stick with your plan for two weeks, either adding a habit or eliminating one, the habit takes hold. Every week thereafter it becomes easier to maintain your change. Remember that anyone can make changes. Get started today and make the changes that can improve your life.
